Menu
12/01/2016
Police Employee Who Struck Teenager Used 'Necessary Force'
A civilian police employee who struck a teenager used "necessary force" after being bitten on the hand, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded.
The youth had complained that he had been kicked and punched by four or five civilian detention officers (CDOs) after he was brought to a custody suite in Belfast in July last year.
He said he was punched to the back of the head, wrestled to the ground and strip searched, before being kicked to the legs and ribs and thrown onto a mattress causing him to spit up blood.
When Police Ombudsman investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the custody suite there was no evidence that the youth had been kicked or stripped naked. The footage showed him to have been struggling and resisting as up to five CDOs brought him to the ground and tried to restrain him.
One of the CDOs also made a note in the youth's custody record that he had struck the youth three times to stop him biting him. The incident was not captured on CCTV.
The CDO was subsequently interviewed under caution by a Police Ombudsman investigator.
He explained that the youth had bitten his wrist before biting into his thumb. He said he struck the youth three times with the palm of his hand to try to release his hand.
The CDO said he did not think there were any other options available to him at the time and stated that the strikes caused no injuries to the youth and represented a necessary use of force.
The Police Ombudsman investigator agreed, finding that the actions of the CDO were justified and proportionate in the circumstances.
The youth had complained that he had been kicked and punched by four or five civilian detention officers (CDOs) after he was brought to a custody suite in Belfast in July last year.
He said he was punched to the back of the head, wrestled to the ground and strip searched, before being kicked to the legs and ribs and thrown onto a mattress causing him to spit up blood.
When Police Ombudsman investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the custody suite there was no evidence that the youth had been kicked or stripped naked. The footage showed him to have been struggling and resisting as up to five CDOs brought him to the ground and tried to restrain him.
One of the CDOs also made a note in the youth's custody record that he had struck the youth three times to stop him biting him. The incident was not captured on CCTV.
The CDO was subsequently interviewed under caution by a Police Ombudsman investigator.
He explained that the youth had bitten his wrist before biting into his thumb. He said he struck the youth three times with the palm of his hand to try to release his hand.
The CDO said he did not think there were any other options available to him at the time and stated that the strikes caused no injuries to the youth and represented a necessary use of force.
The Police Ombudsman investigator agreed, finding that the actions of the CDO were justified and proportionate in the circumstances.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 October 2019
Youths Highlight Mental Health Matters
A group of young people from Co Antrim have created a short film to raise awareness of mental health matters among their peers. Participants at All Saints Youth Club in Ballymena produced 'Ask, Don't Assume,' to highlight the realities of living with mental health difficulties.
Youths Highlight Mental Health Matters
A group of young people from Co Antrim have created a short film to raise awareness of mental health matters among their peers. Participants at All Saints Youth Club in Ballymena produced 'Ask, Don't Assume,' to highlight the realities of living with mental health difficulties.
12 January 2024
25 New Young People Join Belfast City Youth Council
Belfast City Youth Council (BCYC) has welcomed twenty-five new young people to represent the views of their peers on issues impacting on the city's young people.
25 New Young People Join Belfast City Youth Council
Belfast City Youth Council (BCYC) has welcomed twenty-five new young people to represent the views of their peers on issues impacting on the city's young people.
06 November 2023
New Belfast City Youth Council Recruitment Campaign Launches
A new recruitment campaign has been launched to find 30 new members of the Belfast City Youth Council (BCYC). The young people elected, three from each electoral district, will represent all areas of the city and will work with Belfast City Council to make sure young people have their say on the issues most important to them.
New Belfast City Youth Council Recruitment Campaign Launches
A new recruitment campaign has been launched to find 30 new members of the Belfast City Youth Council (BCYC). The young people elected, three from each electoral district, will represent all areas of the city and will work with Belfast City Council to make sure young people have their say on the issues most important to them.
13 February 2023
Youth Workers Taught To Spot Signs Of Child Sexual Exploitation
The PSNI and Youth Work Alliance have hosted a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) training event – the first of three training events to support and ensure youth workers across Northern Ireland can spot the signs of Child Sexual Exploitation.
Youth Workers Taught To Spot Signs Of Child Sexual Exploitation
The PSNI and Youth Work Alliance have hosted a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) training event – the first of three training events to support and ensure youth workers across Northern Ireland can spot the signs of Child Sexual Exploitation.
30 November 2022
SF 'Shocked And Concern' Over EA Youth Service Plans
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has said that he is "shocked and deeply concerned" about plans by the Education Authority to cut vital youth services in Belfast.
SF 'Shocked And Concern' Over EA Youth Service Plans
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has said that he is "shocked and deeply concerned" about plans by the Education Authority to cut vital youth services in Belfast.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
